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As the present generation Lexus IS nears the end of its lifespan, Toyota‘s luxury brand has been busy expanding its F Sport offerings for the IS line. The 2011 Lexus IS 250 F Sport we recently had in for testing was equipped with the latest in F Sport gear and is an evolution of the IS 250 F Sport equipped model we drove back in 2008. Without taking F Sport too far, Lexus has crafted a daily driver with an added dose of sport for those looking for a departure from the BMW 328i’s of the world.

The new $2440 F Sport package is sporty without becoming so pricey that owners wonder why they didn’t simply spring for an IS 350. Retuned springs and shocks plus summer tires wrapped around the unique 18-inch wheels make this car more than a trim package with F Sport badges. Special sport seats with microfiber inserts are a welcome improvement over the regular IS 250, as well. While F Sport package doesn’t extend to the engine, which uses the same 204-horsepower 2.5-liter V-6 as the base car, it certainly looks faster thanks to the F Sport’s body kit, front grille inserts, and rear lip spoiler.

The IS 250’s engine is smooth in its power delivery but the car doesn’t feel as quick as its 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds would suggest. Of course, that could be because you usually don’t hear the small V-6 until you’re close to full-throttle. This is probably the IS 250 F Sport’s biggest failing. Drivers who feel the same can always ask Lexus dealers for the $1600 Performance Exhaust System.

Rolling on 225/40R18 front and 255/40R18 summer tires, the IS 250 F Sport pulled a more than respectable 0.91 g on our skidpad. The car’s Figure Eight time was 26.1 sec at 0.67 g (avg). The steering is responsive, though we found it a tad heavy at low speeds. Braking from 60-0 mph took 115 feet. For comparison, a BMW 335is coupe needed 113 feet to do the same deed.

Unlike its quicker IS 350 stablemate (which is also available in F Sport guise), the IS 250 F Sport can hit 30 mpg on the highway thanks to changes in the EPA’s testing procedures. The V-6’s small size probably has a lot to do with that, as it’s not the type of car that asks you to use the high rpm range on a regular basis. Despite the awesome sport seats and other trim pieces unique to the F Sport, the IS 250 is a car that relaxes as much as it excites. You’ll feel the road a tad more in an F Sport compared to a basic IS 250 but nothing that will send you running for a cushy ES 350. Behind the ES and wildly popular RX crossover, the IS is the brand’s next best seller.

Inherently good design inside and out explains some of that. The basic body shape of the IS has aged well, though taller drivers may feel uncomfortable inside. The rear spoiler forces the CHMSL light higher on the rear windshield, meaning rear visibility is slightly compromised though nothing worse than we’ve seen on other new upscale designs.

Five people can fit inside the IS, but we wouldn’t recommend it. To get an idea for the interior space of the IS, the EPA considers it a subcompact. Rear-seat legroom is about four inches behind competitors like the BMW 328i and Infiniti G25, but the Lexus’ 13.0-cubic-foot trunk is respectable. Also, it’s hard to argue with the rear-wheel-drive IS’ 33.5-foot turning radius coupled with the optional front and rear parking sensors.

We do wonder why our tester didn’t have HID headlights. At $40,232 as tested, the IS 250 F Sport is a value but not as much as Lexus sedans in the past. The IS navigation system is easy enough to use, though it’s not mounted as high as we’d like. With the aid of touchscreen controls, the IS doesn’t have a mass of buttons crowding the dash and we’re fans of the upscale gauges.

If you can’t outmaneuver an accident, the current-generation IS has safety covered. While the car hasn’t been tested under the NHTSA’s stringent standards starting with the 2011 model year, a 2010 IS got four and five stars for various front and side tests on the driver and passenger side. The IIHS gives the IS a good rating for front and side impact tests.

So far, F Sport models have comprised just over 10 percent of all rear-wheel-drive IS 250 sales (and about 40 percent of rear-wheel-drive IS 350s). Aside from the cramped cabin and an engine that could use a bit more grunt, our wish list for the next-generation IS 250 is short, and the continued evolution of F Sport should help make the next car even better.

2011 Lexus IS250 News and Reviews

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